Tree Tales: Buddy the Squirrel and his friend Steve

When I met with Steve Turner the other day, I explained, "I want to write a story about you and Buddy, but remember, it must also include trees."

Without skipping a beat Steve answered, "Well, it all started back when I was a child and I fell out of a tree onto my head, it made me who I am today. By the way, can I get you something to drink, coffee, tea or 'tree water?'"

I knew this was going to be an interview full of fun and entertainment for sure. So I settled back into my comfy chair and just took notes as Steve related story after story of him and his friend, Buddy the Squirrel.

Let me back up just a few weeks as to how I became interested in this yarn about a man and his squirrel, or maybe more accurately ... a squirrel and his man! One day at work, I actually received a thank-you card from a squirrel named Buddy, which said Buddy enjoyed my stories regarding trees very much, so naturally I wanted to meet the people behind Buddy. In fact, I received an invitation from Barbara Carlisle to come to her home for brunch one morning, so we could visit and I could get to know Buddy's family.

When I arrived at Barbara's home, I was warmly greeted at the door by her husband, Harry, and between the two of them, they treated me like royalty. Barbara fixed an exquisite breakfast and the table was beautiful. We sat in front of a picture window that overlooked their backyard. I could see it would be a lovely view in the spring and summer, so watch for a backyard Tree Tales featuring their lilacs. Barbara went on to relate how she loved her job and had the best boss and how he has a kind, compassionate heart for others and for nature. It was an enjoyable visit with delicious food, too.

Now lets fast forward to the present time and my comfy chair, listening to Steve Turner and his nutty stories. Squirrels and trees go together like bread and butter, peanut butter, that is. Steve reminisced back to about six years ago when he first noticed the furry little creature. He put peanuts out for the squirrel after discovering the corn he first placed out was being ignored. One day they heard a tapping at the office window and wondered what in the world it was? They soon realized it was the squirrel announcing there were no more peanuts.

Steve started coaxing him to take the peanut from his hand, "Here little buddy, just a little closer, come on little buddy." The squirrel grew to trust Steve and soon was eating out of his hand, so naturally his official name became Buddy.

Buddy would now wait for Steve to come to work. I guess Buddy was not so wise in choosing other friends though, as he brought home some "hooligan" squirrels, as Steve liked to refer to them. They terrorized people and one lady was afraid to come up to the building. After the hooligans left, Buddy brought home a girlfriend, but Steve said, "He messed that up and after three weeks. She left, too."

Buddy has a happy family of employees that assist and help run the Walker Mortuary on Main Street in Freeport and he seems quite content with them. There is Don, John, Stan, Aaron and Barbara and they are quite a crew, according to their ringleader, Steve Turner. It wasn't long before Buddy became the most influential of them all, and people would come just to see Buddy. Children were thrilled at the prospect of seeing the fluffy squirrel and it would make their day if Steve let them feed Buddy.

Steve didn't mind a bit that Buddy would get cookies dropped off for him because he would always share with the staff. Steve even had a high-tech squirrel feeder installed with three different types of nuts for his dining pleasure. Not just ordinary nuts, either, these were special ordered and unsalted, nothing but the best for their nut-loving friend. There were some ups and downs, though. Steve related the time he had to pay big money to have some computer wires replaced after Buddy chewed through them.

Steve became known as the Squirrel Guru and people would contact him all the time. One gentlemen called him and said he had a pet squirrel, too, named Ken. Steve decided Buddy should have a decent home, so he had four squirrel condos installed to the side of the building. His sister Anne now became involved and brought some red and purple yarn, which to everyone's delight, the squirrels used in their nest.

Something else is interesting, too, I understand they have a special award that they give out to people who are selfless and helpful to others. They call it The Buddy Award. The first recipient of this prestigious plaque was a hard-working lady by the name of Pat Dunn, congratulations! I had the honor of meeting Pat one morning while I was having breakfast at a local restaurant with a friend. Pat was there, too, with Steve and the gang and that was special.

I will have to write a part two to this Tree Tales because there are many more stories that were related to me, alas, I have run out of room, but out of the blue, I asked Steve if he liked cats, "absolutely," he said. So one of the stories to part two will be how Miranda Jezebel Pearl, the family cat influenced a major business decision in the life of Steve Turner. Oh, and I just want to take a moment to say thank you for my very own giant peanut stress ball ... I have it sitting on my desk at The Journal-Standard.